THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY SELF HELP PROJECTS IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Irepodun Local Government Area, Kwara State was used as case study in order to examine the role of self-help projects in rural development in Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained through the administration of 400 copies of questionnaire format on randomly selected respondents in the study area. The study revealed that funds for self help projects and subsequent development of their communities were only accomplished mainly through the contribution of community unions/association because majority of the respondents earned less than 20,000 naira. The Chi-square and correlation results established a relationship between population and self help projects for rural development. This was assented to by respondents who affirmed that the self help projects have improved their living standard.
Apparently the level and efficiency of self help projects in rural communities influences the development of the rural areas in Nigeria. Governments should therefore redirect its rural development towards developmental projects in rural areas by making if people centered for each and every community in the rural areas of Nigeria. This will ensure an equitable distribution of self help projects, an essential tool for balanced development of the rural areas in Nigeria.